Falling for the Boxer Bow Shorts
I fell in love with Boxer Bow Shorts Pattern the moment I saw Matchy Matchy Sewing Club release it. It's fun, stylish and - let's face it - not another boring sewing pattern that everyone else has. I knew straight away I was going to make them, and I knew I'd love them.
When I first made the shorts, I was obsessed! I did notice a few things I wanted to change, like where the bows sat and how the high the side slits were, but for a pattern that needed no fiddling about, I was impressed.
I chose the high-waisted view (because the sewing pattern comes in two versions). I'm a millennial - I lived through the low-rise jeans era, and I WILL NOT GO BACK. High-waist all the way. It also happens to suit my body type better, so it was a no-brainer. The pattern also gives you the choice of a 3" or 5" inseam because I like a little more coverage.
Why hack the pattern?
Honestly, I think I once saw someone on Instagram make something similar. I can’t even remember if it was this exact pattern or not, but the idea stuck in my head. I loved it then, and thought, “Yep, I’m doing that.”
I’ve also built a lot more confidence in hacking sewing patterns recently. I used to avoid making adjustments — and I definitely wouldn’t sew for other people. Imposter syndrome had me convinced I wasn’t “good enough” and would just mess things up. If I ruined my own make, fine, but doing that for someone else? Nope. My turning point came when I tried the Tie Top from Birgitta Helmersson. It’s a zero-waste sewing pattern, which meant I was working directly with the fabric rather than relying on paper pattern pieces. That completely changed my perspective. Suddenly, hacking and adapting patterns didn’t feel intimidating anymore.
And once I made the Boxer Bow Shorts and realised how comfy they were, I knew: this was the perfect time for my first proper sewing pattern hack.
Beginner Tip 💡
I wish someone had told me earlier to “just cut into it.” If you’re nervous about using your good fabric, grab an old bedsheet and use it as a toile. Practise, chop it up, and try again. It takes time, but it’s worth it. If you set yourself up with the mindset - this is going to look awful but I'm going to try anyway - I promise you'll come away from it, feeling it turned out great.
Hack #1: Boxer Bow Trousers in Blue Gingham
My first hack turned the shorts into a full pair of trousers. I used our Blue Large Gingham Organic Cotton. I’ll admit, I was a little worried the white in the fabric would make them see-through. I even ordered new underwear in preparation (yes, really). But I was dead wrong — even wearing black knickers, you couldn’t see a thing. (Only when wet, as I later found out while paddleboarding in them — but that’s another story!)
I loved the idea of having bows running down the side seams. To start, I extended the inseam by about 25". I wasn’t sure how long I wanted the trousers to be, so I went all the way and figured I could cut them down later. I also extended the side slit — the one in the shorts is pretty high, and a bit too revealing (when you sit down) for me.
Beginner Tip 💡
Always think ahead when hacking. For example, when I marked out my slit placement, I remembered to allow for the folded waistband and seam allowance. If I hadn’t, my slit would’ve ended up higher than I measured on my body.
Because I wanted four bows down each leg, I had to cut 16 bow ties instead of the usual four. I won’t lie — sewing and turning that many bows was tedious. But once they were stitched on, I knew the effort was worth it.
I also slimmed the trouser legs a little by shaving in the side seams so they weren’t too wide. When I tried them on, I realised they were too long, so I chopped off about 4", folded up half an inch for the hem, and ended up with a lovely calf-length look. Perfect for my tall legs without making me look endlessly long.
To place the bows, I measured evenly from the slit to the hem, making sure one bow sat close to the slit and another about 2.5" above the hem. It gave the trousers a pulled-together look that worked really well.
And honestly? They turned out so cute.
Hack #2: Boxer Bow Trousers in Navy Vintage Cotton
My second pair were made in our Navy Nantucket Vintage Cotton. I’d been saving this fabric for ages, waiting for the right trouser pattern, and once I’d hacked the shorts I knew it would work perfectly.
Vintage Cotton is a heavier weight, so I was worried it might be too stiff, but it’s actually perfect for the UK’s in-between weather. Warm, comfy, and breathable.
This time, I used my hacked trouser block and I decided to skip the slits — sewing straight side seams was a dream compared to the extra finishing. Instead, I wanted to focus on adding pockets (because somehow I always forget to add them in).
For the pockets I borrowed the template from the Ninni Trousers by Named. I stitched four pieces (two per side) and added a cute little daisy label to the outside. I love visible labels, and it gave the trousers a fun detail.
This time, I also cut the elastic waistband a bit looser. I have a habit of making them too tight, and after a wash they end up really snug. After this tweak, they washed beautifully, fit comfortably, and even had room for post-meal expansion (always a win).
I actually wrote this blog post while wearing them — that’s how much I love them. And yes, I already plan to make a green pair as soon as that Vintage Cotton is back in stock.
What I learnt from this Hack
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Don’t be afraid to adapt a pattern to your style — it’s part of the joy of sewing.
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Seam allowances matter. Always think ahead when measuring.
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Elastic waistbands can be deceptive — leave them slightly looser, they’ll snug up after washing.
Final Thoughts
The Boxer Bow Shorts by Matchy Matchy Sewing Club have now become one of my new favourite patterns. They’re fun, versatile, and surprisingly beginner-friendly. Whether you make them as intended or turn them into a full pair of trousers, the elastic waistband makes them comfy and stylish.
Pattern hacking might feel intimidating at first, but once you try it, you’ll see how freeing it is. My Boxer Bow Trousers prove just how easy it can be to take a simple sewing pattern and make it completely your own.
Now the question is… what colour do I make my next pair of Trousers in?... Green perhaps?
